A New Air Cleaner Reduces Ammonia on Chicken Farms

Scientists in the United States made a new indoor air cleaner for chicken farms. The machine can reduce ammonia in bird houses by 87% to 99%. Ammonia comes from chicken waste and can harm birds and people. High levels slow bird growth and can make farm workers sick. The lost gas also takes away nitrogen that could help grow crops.

Old chemical methods control ammonia for only three to four weeks. Other air cleaners clean air that leaves the building, so they help the birds less. Researchers in Arkansas made an indoor system with a special sand filter. The filter stops dust from blocking the machine. In tests, the machine cleaned all the air in a chicken house every 30 minutes.

Researchers plan to test the machine on large chicken farms next. They want to see if it can also remove dust, bird flu viruses, and food bacteria. If it works, it could help animals, protect workers, and help farms make more money. It may also help the environment and work on pig farms in the future.

Do you think this new air cleaner is a good idea for farms? Why or why not?